A BIRMINGHAM licence dodger has made it on to a national league of shame of lame excuses for not buying a TV permit.

A BIRMINGHAM licence dodger has made it on to a national league of shame of lame excuses for not buying a TV permit.

The woman claimed: "My husband has just spent £3,000 on this massive panoramic flat digital TV so we can't possibly afford a TV licence, sorry."

But licensing chiefs were unmoved by the 'excuse' and the woman was told she risked a £1,000 fine.

And they revealed when it came to covering up for not having a TV licence people in the city were also quick to blame their nearest and dearest.

Among the worst excuses given to TV Licensing's enquiry officers when they swooped on the dodgers were:

"I no longer require a licence as lightning recently struck my television and it has not worked since."

I only have a small TV so why should I pay?"

"I run a takeaway and don't finish work until 1am. There's nothing on that time of the morning so it's not worth paying for a licence."

So far this year, experts have caught more than 6,000 people in Birmingham watching TV without a £135.50 colour licence or a £45.50 black and white one.

Midlands regional manager John Robinson, said: "These excuses may be inventive but they don't fool our team of enquiry officers.

"Putting the blame on someone else isn't a way to avoid paying the licence fee which could mean you risk a trip to court and a trip of up to £1,000 - and you will still need to buy a TV licence if you need one.

"With the help of our new hand-held detectors, the message to the minority who do try to avoid paying is clear - if you are watching TV without a licence, expect a knock on the door."